Man arrested after allegedly killing intruders at home grow-op

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Police and medics respond to the double shooting at a marijuana grow house in Puyallup last December.

PUYALLUP, Wash. -- The 36-year-old Puyallup man who allegedly killed two masked intruders at his home marijuana grow-op back in December was arrested Wednesday after prosecutors decided to file charges.

Jeremy Capodanno is now facing up to 40 years in prison on charges of manufacturing marijuana and discharging and possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug crime.

According to the Pierce County Sheriff's Office, two masked men entered Capodanno's six-car garage Dec. 6, one day after marijuana was officially legalized in the state, looking for drugs and cash.

Deputies responded after Capodanno shot and killed both men and found nearly 200 marijuana plants growing in the garage's attic, according to the Sheriff's Office.

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, deputies found a gun on Capodanno and more firearms in his truck.

Capodanno, whose son was home at the time of the shooting, was released while prosecutors decided whether or not to file charges.

Those charges were finally filed last week, and Capodanno faces a minimum of 15 years in prison if convicted on all of them. Manufacturing marijuana alone is punishable by up to 40 years in prison.

“This defendant chose to enter the illegal drug business, and armed himself to protect his trade, not his home,” U.S. Attorney Jenny Durkan said in a press release. “His conduct brought thieves to his door, put his 7-year-old son at risk, and ended with him taking two lives.”